Howell Heating
About us
Howell Heating is a full service residential and light commercial heating and air conditioning company. We offer HVAC services and installation of furnaces, air conditioners, humidifiers, filtration systems and any other indoor air quality needs you may have. We believe in old-fashioned service, always treating our customers fair and supporting our community.
Business highlights
Services we offer
We specialize in repairing, air conditioners, air purifiers and more., and maintaining furnaces, heat pumps, humidifiers, installing, thermostats
Amenities
Free Estimates
Yes
Accepted Payment Methods
- CreditCard
Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
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"Thank you for the review [Member Name Removed]! Being a small, local shop, we are always truly grateful for recommendations from happy homeowners like you! If you have any future HVAC needs, don't hesitate to call!"
"Thanks [Member Name Removed]! I appreciate you taking the time to leave this great review. If there is ever anything else you need don't hesitate to call."
"I recently came across this review and for the sake of clarity and for the reputation of my family business, I decided I would like to have my side heard as well: [Member Name Removed]called me last winter with questions about thermostats. After discussing at great length her options, she told me she would just buy her own thermostats from the big box store and have me install them. I explained to her that I could not warranty any product that I didn't supply, which she understood and we scheduled a time. The install of the new thermostats along with a zone panel, on Feb 13th, 2017, went exactly as planned. The total she paid for the job was $461, for everything, which I still believe is a very fair price. Four months later I received a phone call in which the customer accused me of not doing the job correctly. She stated that the thermostats were not working, that I had probably installed something incorrectly and that she wanted me to come out and check. I tried to explain that the thermostats had worked properly over the winter, and that it didn't sound like a thermostat issue to me, but that I would be happy to come out and look at the system. Despite her lack of trust in my previous work and my schedule being booked solid, I went out to her house to take a look. After inspecting the system, I found a problem with the zone dampers. The damper issue was not caused by thermostats and was an entirely different problem. I explained to [Member Name Removed]what I had found and what it would take to remedy her problem. Throughout the phone calls and that days service call the customer repeatedly questioned my ability to do my job properly and made multiple veiled accusations that I was way too expensive. When she asked me what it would cost for the days visit, I told her "$102 for the service call". She again made frustrated comments about the cost. As she was starting to write the check I realized that I was not good fit for her as a contractor. She didn't trust my skill, my knowledge or my prices. So I told her "You know what, never mind, I am not charging you for the service call. I think you should find a different contractor. Please just call another company." I picked up my tool bucket, my paperwork and I left. I didn't leave upset or angry, I never once raised my voice. I just turned around and walked out the door. I am sincerely sorry that she felt startled at how abruptly I left, that was certainly not my intent. I also have a wife and daughter at home and would never intentionally make a homeowner feel uncomfortable. The way she was acting towards me, I honestly assumed she'd be relieved to not have to pay the bill and happy to use be able to use a different contractor. I work hard to be professional, to be skilled at my trade and to earn a living for my family. I work REALLY hard to earn the trust and satisfaction of each of my customers. I am disappointed that I was not able to provide the level and quality of service that [Member Name Removed]wanted and I do sincerely hope she was able to find a better fit in an HVAC contractor. - Zack Howell, Owner"
When he came out to inspect our ancient unit, he was very honest and upfront about it. He gave us options and didn't try to up sell us to the most expensive model. He was able to answer all my questions and I felt at ease.
Howell Heating
2009 W. Broadway Ave., Forest Lake, MN 55025
Zach and his helper showed up on time and completed the replacement in about 5 1/2 hours. He had estimated 5 hours. They cleaned up afterwards and made sure the furnace was working. We had had a change in our plans/date for the furnace installation and Zach was able to accommodate us. So we were not without heat for long. We also had options for type of furnace and we choose the one that seemed best for us. There were less expensive and more expensive ones to choose from.
I waited a week to do this review to make sure everything was working the way it was supposed to work. It has been. Heat distribution seems much better and the house seems overall more comfortable. The noise difference between our 80% efficient furnace and the new 96%, is dramatic. We can barely hear the new furnace when it kicks on and starts to wrap up. Old one sounded like a jet engine. We haven't had a real cold snap yet, that will be the real test, but we are confident it will work well.
Thanks Zach for your help.
Got three bids. Zack's was significantly lower than the other two (same model in all three bids). One of the other companies suggested I go with a higher capacitry furnace then the existing one. Zack said I could actually use a model smaller than my existing one. Of course the higher capacity was more expense. I went a model slightly smaller than my existing furnace.
The AL reviews were good so I decided to go with Zack.
They arrived on time and when right to work. I checked the part number on the box containing the new furnace and it didn't seem to be what I ordered. When I asked Zack he said he would call to make sure it was the correct furnace. I went upstairs and called Lennox and talked to someone who said the model number did not have the variable speed motor I had purchaced. Of course now I was starting to get worked up. Zack was very patient with me. He had looked inside the furnace and said it was indeed the variable speed motor model. Because of my conversation with Lennox, I wasn't convinced. We called Lennox on the speaker phone and they assured me it was the variable speed motor model. Since Lennox had given me two answers I was still not convinced. I searched for the model number online with Zack and I was finally reassured that it was the variable speed model. Keep in mind he knew the whole time it was the variable speed model because he had looked inside the unit. Many contractors might have gotten upset with me, but Zack attitude was lets keep checking until you are satisfied.
Zack had filled all the forms required to get tax credits, rebates, etc.
Overall top notch service at a great price.
Licensing
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